Fireproof floor construction for buildings.



E.- V. JOHNSON. FIREPROOF FLOOR- CONSTRUCTION r03 BUILDINGS.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. '1, 1910.

1,021,780. Patented Apr.2,1912.

s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inward Efv'. JOHNSON. 'FIREPROOF FLOOR CONSTRUCTION FORBUILDINGSJ.v

. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1910. 1 021 780. Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

. r w m R r B R N J4 um m aw .w? .1 m m\ u 5 N k 2 r an M I1 fl, .1111, k w E M R h A H E, v. JOHNSON. PIREPROOF FLOOR GONSTRUGTIOQI FOR BUILDINGS.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7,1910.

' Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

3 SHEETSSH EET 3.

1. meat iS'liltUOTIONFOR. BUILDINGSJI En- E sssrV; JoimsoN, Chicago, 111.,- Filed'Jan.

. tial plan view showing 1 tile-work and the team e 'lTe'ldllipli-oin. amen:

, ,2 Be. itllmownathat LEunn a citizen of the:United?States,fresiding in ."Ihe object'of my invention is to provide an improved fireproof. floor construction,

which will embody in a single unitary structure, all them crits and advantages of the best or most approved reinforced concrete construction, without any of its disadvantages or defects, and also all the merits and advantages of the best or most approved terra cotta or tile work construction without any of the defects or disadvantages incident or supposed to be incident thereto, and which at. vthe same time will be capable'of being ra idlyand cheaply built.

'..;g y invention consists in 'th e nove1 con- 5il 9il9P..9,Pt a dev d i ih novel combinations of' arts and devices herein shown and (lCSG1l)C(l, and by which this object or result is practically accom plished. the same being more particularly set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this. specification, Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in horizontal section. of a coinbined reinforced concrete and terra cotta or tile-work, fire-proof floor construction cinbodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections on lines 2-2 and 3-43 res iectively of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail, parthe terra cotta or hers or reinforcing rods in p ce, ready to receive the concrete. Fig. 5 is a detail cross section of the panel tile.

In the drawing, A represents the steel fposts or upright frame members of the uilding; B the horizontal steel beams or girders of the building framework; C the tensile acting or reinforcing members, preferably steel rods crossing each other at right angles and extending over or anchored to the girders B; D hollow or panel tile, preferably twelve inches square, and of such depth as the floor load and clear span may require, arranged in longitudinal and trans verse rows in the spaces between the reinforcement members 0 and with their hollows d extending in the same direction; E,

slab or spacer tile, preferably about one inch thick and three inches wide. and arranged in rows between the sides d of the panel acting metal mem- Chicago,"in-thecounty'of (look and State of i rior space between the 11 :"Illinois, have inventcda new and useful Im-' h l tile being provemcnt in Fireproof Floor Construction for Buildings,of which-the following is aspecification. I t f i lily invention. relates to improvementsin fireproof tloor construction for buildings.

tile DTFTU-shaped or channel tile, an; ranged in transverse rows oetween the end. 3

d of the panel'tile D, and closing by their upright sides f, the openingsrl of the panel tile. each channel tilebeing preferably twelve inches long by about five inches wide, and corresponding in height. or depth to the height or depth of the panel tile D, the interight sides f of each re erably three inches, and thus correspon ing in width to the slab or s iacer tile E, and t ereby forming a networr of continuous and connected narrow open spaces for reception of the steel rods or reinforcement members C, and the series of crossing solid concrete beams or ribs G in which the reinforcement members C are embedded, and which fill the narrowdongi tndinal spaces between the upright. sides of the panel tile D and the narrow transverse s aces between the upright sides of the eliannel tile; and II non-combustible heat insulating members, preferably of mineral wool, asbestos, cork or other equivalent material interposed between the'steel rods or reinforcement members C and the slab or flat spacer tile E and bottom webs f of the channel tile F.

The jensionptleinforcement m mb r! .C

preferably extend continuously from one side OI the wall of the building to the opposite side or wall thereof, and the same are anchored in the concrete beams or ribs G throughout their entire length. At their ends the steel reinforcements C are anchored in the steel girders of the outer wall, if the ;outer wall contains steel girders, and if not, :jthey are suitably anchored in the masonry .ot' the outer walls.

The solid concrete beams or ribs G are uniformly spaced and cross each other at. right. angles in a solid integral network, both the longitudinal series G and the transverse series G extending between the girders which form the rectangular floor unit. bnv or mind B bounded by the steel girders T3 or y the outer masonry walls, as the case may be. The solid, integral concrete beams or ribs G, in connection with their steel reinforcements C transmit the stress to the four sides of the floor unit, buy

or panel B, whether such floor unit, bay or panel is supported on its four sides by steel girders B, or on one or more sides bv a brick or other masonry outer wall.

The spaces between the solid integral concrete ribs or beams G are formed by the hollow or panel tile D, the same being preferably in units, twelve inches square. and of such depth as may be required to safely support the superimposed load, the depths of the panel tile D and channel tile F being proportioned to the length of the clear span between the girders or other supports boundmg each floor unit, bay or panel B.

km 7? Z lhc iiollow or panel the Dare separated i from each other by the transversely extending channel tile F which are set in place in cement mortar f, the upright sides of the channel tile being of the same de ti as the intermediate hollow or panel til D, and being laid against the open ends of the same, serve to close up the hollow spaces a in the panel tile D.

The longitudinally extending concrete ribs or beams G are gaged to uniform size,

2 preferably about three inches in thickness channel tile F also abut.

iorizontally, by the slab or spacer tile E which are laid flat on portable centering. and against the edges of which the closed Sides d of the hollow tile abut, and against which the ends of the transversely extending By this arrangement, the hollow or panel tile D are uniformly spaced in both directions; in one 1 direction, by the slab or spacer tile E, and in the other direction by the channel tile F, and opportunity is thus afforded for the introduction of such form of reinforcing members or tensile acting members C as may be most suitable. The steel reinforcements C which.are intended to take up the tension the steel reinforcements C,

a stress in the floor unit, bay or panel between girders,- extend continuously iii longitudinal and transverse directions crossing each other at right angles and are carried over the intermediate girders B into the adjoining floor units, bays or panels. Opportunity is thus afforded to obtain the equivalent of continuous beams extending from outer wall to outer wall of the building or structure. One or more steel reinforcements C may be used in each of the concrete beams or ribs ("1, depending oii the amount. of tensile stresses developed by the known floor load which the structure may be called upon to support.

After the 12x12 hollow or panel tile D are set in place on the portable centering in the manner above described, being spaced in one direction by the longitudinally extending slab or spacer tile E, and in the opposite direction by the channel tile l, and the steel.

reinforcements C have been laid in position transversely and longitudinally in the continuous channels or spaces formed by the sides of the anel tile and by the channel; tile, liquid poured in and thoroughly tamped around ortland' cement concrete is tile, prevents the loss of any cement or co n- 1 crete by escape into the hollows (l of the hi0: D; and only the actual amount of concrete, re uircd to fill the spaces between the tile; D and between the upri ht sides of thej channel tile is thus required. It. would be a disadvantage, should any of the Portland; 'cement concrete filling escape into the hollow cavities d of the tile D, for the reason; that it would be of no use in COITIPICSSH'C strength and would entail an excess costof; construction and add materially to the dead i; weight of the floor, without any structural compensation or increased strength.

It will be observed that by the above dcscribcd construction and coiubination f hollow panel tile with slab or spacer tile and channel tile, I provide for the protection of all the steel reinforcements C with at least an inch or more of fireproof material on the under side, while at the same time, the underside portion of the floor which forms the ceiling for the story below, presents a uniform and continuous tile surface for reception of lastering, the inderside or ceiling surface ein in part formed by the bottom webs d of t e anel tile D, in part by the slab or spacer tile E and in part by the bottom webs of the channel tilc F. This is a i, density of the tile portion and concrete porl l and filled up flush with the to 7 surface of the tile D, F. This, method and arrangement assures perfection of workmanship, especially in relation to the solid, continuous, integral concrete beams or ribs (1 and the steel reinforcements (7 embedded therein throughout their entire length or surface. The hollow ends of the nine] tile D being scaled up by the cement; Joint. f between the upright sides f of the, channel tile F and the ends ll of the floor great advantage over previous constructions ii'hercin tile are used in connection with concrete as-a floor construction. \Vhcre the underside or ceiling side of the floor construcl tion is composed in part of tile and in part i of concrete, great inequality in the plaster ing results, as well as additional expense, i labor and ditliculty in applying the plastering. as the variation in the suction due to .ditlcrent degrees of dryness and porosity or tion causes thc plastering to stain through, making the ceilings unsightl a few weeks after they are finished, and o ten also causes cracking or other disfigurement of the plusi tcring. Bi" niv construction and (.tillllillltltitm fif 1 ianel tile, channel tile, slab or spacer tile, Iintcgral solid crossing concrete beams or ribs and steel reinforcements, it is possible lto compute accurately the stresses on the i reinforcements in every direction, and produce a monolithic floor unit or slab of umi form strength.- My fireproof floor construction is also superior to existing floor arch constructions for the reason that in my contruction, equal distribution of the tensile i acting stccl rcinforcing members in all dircctious, ties the strntiture rigidly together, and greatly incrcascs its strength to resist. impact from falling material or contents which might be stored in the building and be partially consumed durin" a tire. My improved construction also atl' ords inost cfticient resistance to earthquake shocks or wind pressure stresses in h iglibuildin sf After the floor construction, as above described, is completed and in place, and the false work used as temporary supports in the construction of the floor. removed, the

top surface thereof is either finished with a Portland cement wearing surface K, or with 1 wood fioorin r M, nailed to floor strips M .in the usua ment assures a perfect bond between the.

two materials after the cement finish has thoroughly set.

,i justifies computing an increased value to Y the strength of the floor proportionate to its increased depth, providing a sufficient quantity of metal is added to-the reinforce-' ment members C to correspond -to such increased depth of the floor.

The non-combustible heat insulating me'ni- 1 bers, II, of asbestos, mineral wool or other heat insulating non-combustible material,

are preferably about an inch in thickness,

; tile F and such steel reinforcements.

and are interposed between the stcehreinforcements C and the slab or spacer tile E,

I and also between the bottoms of the channel The objeet.of the heat insulating members II is to protect the steel reinforcements from expansiou during an extreme fire acting directly on the soflit of a floor construction. ltceent fire tests have demonstrated the necessity for properly insulating steel reinforcements when bedded in concrete or -otherwise protected. Fire insurance experts generally require at least. two inches thickness of concrete below the outer or The addition ofthe Portland i cement finished surface K on top of the tile lower edge or surface of all steel rcinforcements in floor slabs, panels or units that take up tensional stress. I have found by practical demonstration that a fi're of one thousand degrees Fahrenheit will permeate two inches of Portland cement concrete to such an extent during one hours fire, that the expansion of the steel reinforcement by the heat will be sufficient to seriously damage monolithic concrete fioor slabs. I overcome this difliculty by the non-heat conducting or insulating members II of asbestos, mineral wool, cork or other e uivaleut material. The slab or spacer tile u may be rovided with a groove or channel on their upper faces to receive and retain in position the non-heat conducting, saluting members II.

N represents the plastering on the under side or ceiling'surface of my floor construction.

P I are insulating or filler members surnon-eombustible in-j f /7W P6] 3 minisg a ad iosai'sg iis'iass saaiass of the steel girders B.

While I have herein shown and dcscri bed the preferred construction of my invention, and the best means known to me for practicing the same, it will of course understood that certain features of my improved floor construction may be employed and others omitted.

To afford a stronger bond or union between the concrete members G and the tile D. F, the tile may be furnished with dovetail grooves d f. In cases where the ocment finish or floor surface K is em loyed, the wood floor strips M and wood coring M are omitted.

I claim 1. In a fireproof floor construction, the combination with supporting girders, of

hollow panel tile having open ends and spaced apart longitudinally and transversely and arranged in lon itudinal and transverse rows, transverse y channel tile arranged transversely between and closing the ends of said hollow panel tile, spacer slab tile extending between the longitudinal rows of hollow panel tile and extending betwe n the. ends of said channel tile, longitudinally and transversely extending solid integral concrete beams or ribs filling the channels of said channel tile and the longitudinal spaces. between said hollow panel tile. and crossing steel reinforcements extending longitudinally and transversely and 1 embedded in said concrete beams or ribs,

substantially as specified.

3. In a fireproof floor construction. the E combination with supportinggirders. ofhollow panel tile having open ends and spaced apart longitudinally and transveisel and arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, transversely extending channel tile arranged transversely between and closing the 1 ends of said hollow panel tile, spacerslab tile extending between the longitudinal rows of hollow panel tile and between the ends of said channel tile, longitudinally and ,transverscly extending solid integral con- 2 cretc beams or ribs filling the channels of said channel tile and the longitudinal spaces 2 between said hollow panel tile, and crossing 5 steel reinforcements extending longitudi- 3 conductin nally and transversely and embedded in said concrete beams or ribs, and non-heat and incombustible insulating members interposed between said steel reinforcements and said spacer slab tile and the bottom webs of said channel tile, substanthe hollows of said panel tile, :1 network of longitudinal and transverse concrete ribs fillin said channel tile and the spaces between the sides of said panel tile, and tensile acting reinforcements for said concrete ribs, tile members below said tensile acting reinforcements and heat. insulating members interposed between said reinforcements and the tile members therebelow, substantially as specified.

4. In a fireproof t'loor construction, the combination with hollow panel t-ile having open ends and spaced apart. longitudinally and transversely and arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, channel tile extending transversely between and closing thehollows of said panel tile, a network oflongit-udinal and transverse concrete ribs filling said channel tile and the spaces between the sides of said panel tile. and tensile acting reinforcements for said concrete ribs. ilei members below said tensile acting reinforc'c- .ments said reinforcements extending both longitudinally and transversely, and heat;

jnsiilating members interposed between said i reinforcements and the tile. members therebelow, substantially as speeitied.

5. in a fireproof tloor eonstrurtion, the eoinbination with supporting girders, of hollow panel tile having open ends and spaced apart longitudinally and trans- .verselv and arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, transversely extending channel tile arranged transrersetr between and. closing the ends of said hollow panel tile, spacers of slab tile at the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse spaces between tlie rows of tile, said spacers lying between the ends of said channel tile, longitudinally and transversely e.\ 'tendin g solid integral concrete beams or Ill)S filling the channels of said channel tile and the longitudinal spaces between said hollow panel tile, and crossing steel reinforcements extending longitudinally and transversely and embedded in said concrete beams or ribs, substantially as described.

ERNEST V. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

H. M. Mono/ti, PEARL Anamus. 

